TR Anniversary thoughts - Anyone think so?

First, I was majorly disappointed in Anniversary and even Legend to an extent. The way the camera screws up all your moves is terrible. It messes up your grapple wall runs, etc. You'd think they could come up with something that doesn't interfere with gameplay, or, at least, a "camera follow" option in the menu. While the graphics and technology are light years ahead of the first 3 games, I think they still whip the newer ones for actual playablility. They didn't have near the trouble with camera positioning..always have to adjust your mouse or your jump won't come off right, etc. When you're doing something timed or something like a "wall-run" it really makes it more difficult than it has to be. Especially during tricky fights when your right hand has to be on the mouse and your left hand has to figure out how to hit the directional keys, jump key and crouch key all at the same time. Some of the levels are much harder than they need to be too. When it takes you 45 minutes to get past one section with timed moving ledges, such as in the "Temple of Kharmoon" in the "pool and ledges room". That one took me literally DAYS to get past...it ceases to be entertaining. All in all...it has some entertainment value, but mostly frustration value...I'm going back to Neverwinter Nights and Knight of the Old Republic...

You've hit most of the issues with TRA. They weren't deal breakers for me--I generally liked the game--but there were certainly times when I feel like I was fighting the game rather than playing the game.

First, I was majorly disappointed in Anniversary and even Legend to an extent. The way the camera screws up all your moves is terrible. It messes up your grapple wall runs, etc. You'd think they could come up with something that doesn't interfere with gameplay, or, at least, a "camera follow" option in the menu. While the graphics and technology are light years ahead of the first 3 games, I think they still whip the newer ones for actual playablility. They didn't have near the trouble with camera positioning..always have to adjust your mouse or your jump won't come off right, etc. When you're doing something timed or something like a "wall-run" it really makes it more difficult than it has to be. Especially during tricky fights when your right hand has to be on the mouse and your left hand has to figure out how to hit the directional keys, jump key and crouch key all at the same time. Some of the levels are much harder than they need to be too. When it takes you 45 minutes to get past one section with timed moving ledges, such as in the "Temple of Kharmoon" in the "pool and ledges room". That one took me literally DAYS to get past...it ceases to be entertaining. All in all...it has some entertainment value, but mostly frustration value...I'm going back to Neverwinter Nights and Knight of the Old Republic...

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3D platforming games pretty much require a decent gamepad controller to play. I'd hate to even think about playing one with a keyboard and mouse. With a game controller Tomb Raider: Legend was pretty easy.

That being said, Tomb Raider: Anniversary was tough even with a game controller. I kept hearing myself suddenly shouting obscenities at the screen. That still happens today, after more run-throughs than I care to count. There's something about the game that keeps me playing it.

Crystal Dynamics has faithfully continued the tradition of having Lara handle like a cow in a supermarket trolley... Lara was no stranger to the five story splatter death on this adventure. Half the time I'd take a running jump off of a platform only to discover too late that I was a few degrees off and watched helplessly while Lara rag-doll-ized on jagged rocks. The other half of the time the game engine stubbornly refused to register Lara's grip on the next ledge and another unscheduled trip to jagged rocks country would ensue.

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There are techniques to make wall-runs easier, but you just have to grin and bear the times when Lara snobbishly refuses to grab a ledge in TRA.

No, I agree...it isn't a deal breaker for me either because I have been a fan of the game for years...Thanks for the post. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one. I'm currently taking a break from the game or I'm likely to lose my sanity. I don't have any hair left to pull out, so it's pretty much take a break or throw the PC out the window. I built it myself with love and care...awww...so that really isn't an option.

and JoveHack...I love that link !!!! It cracked me up and it's all true. I understand what you say about the gamepad, but I guess I'm just old school. Can't quite get the hang of those either. It irritates me because I have been gaming on keyboard and mouse for a loooong time and I can pretty much whip anything given enough time...but heck...something like this, they need to stick to JUST the keyboard. If the camera wasn't so jacked up I could probably do it with both hands using the keyboard pretty easy. I also agree. It wasn't as hard in Legend...I actually really enjoyed that game and have repeated it many many times. Thanks for the input !!! Thanks again for that link...I'm gonna go watch it again !!!

TRL and TRA were held back by money. I was disappointed in how TRA could have been expanded into something of a greater scale. They could have expand the enemies and story and work on the gameplay. And while TRA was great, they didnt know how well it was going to sell, so it was an averaged scaled game with more or less TRL environments with slightly better graphics and gameplay. fF they were to have saved TRA for PS3 and 360 and used the consoles technology to its full capacity while having a bigger budget and more faith on the game in that it would sell, TRA could have been an epic game.

I just tried to play it again for the 360. I ran into a glitch I can't get past with that grappling hook I can't get past. It just doesn't work. I put the game down because of that grapple at a different location with the PS2. I never finished it. Crap like that just made me loose interest.

I really don't get people's complaints about TRA. The only control issue I have with it are jumping off the grapple wall runs. Other than that, I think the controls are solid and the camera works just fine.

I just beat this game other day and I have to say, I did find it rather difficult. The biggest trouble I had was back jumping from a grapple wall run especially during the The Great Pyramid level. It's a decent game but I did find myself getting frustrated during certain parks. Tomb Raider: Legend is definitely much easier IMO. I have yet to play Underworld.